Traffic signal



June 30?, E925,

G. il. VVATERHOUSE TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed OO, 6, 1924 BY WMM/2&-

A TTORNE YS.

Patented June 30, 1925.

UNITED STATES GERALD C. WATERHOUSE, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed October 6, 1924. Serial No. 741,823.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GERALD C. WATER- noUsn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Traffic Signal, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a traic contro signal generally of the semaphore type and adapted to be placed at points of intersections of tratiic streams. In the control of tralhc, it is desirable to have a semaphore which signals the trafiic so that it moves alternately from intersecting directions. It has been found advantageous to employ motor actuated semaphores. The control is much more eiiicicnt, if the signal is of the preindieating type wherein the time of change from Go to Stop and vice versa is indicated.

The primary object of this invention is to provide asignal of the character described which has a single member lacting as a preindicator and control signal. In addition to the broader objects of this invention, there are certain details of design loading to simplicity and economy of structure and certainty of operation.

These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiment of myl invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a complete signal made inaccordance with my invention; Figf is a side elevation of the head; and F ig. 3 is a front elevation of the head with the semajihore member in another position.

Referring more particularlyto the drawing, .5 indicates a standard of any suitable design. Mounted upon the top of the standard is a head comprising a housing G having a slot 7 at one side thereof `for the projection of the semaphore arms. Journalled upon a shaft 8 in the housing and at the edge of the slot is the semaphore member 9 comprising two oppositely disposed arms, one arm being marked on both sides with the word Go and the other being marked With the word Stop.7 The semaphore member is arranged so that when it is in a vertical position, both arms are substantially wholly within the housing.

It is intended that the semaphore members 'rotate and advance preferably in a uniformly continuous manner. To this end, I have indicated a driving mechanism 10 which may be an -electric motor suitably geared to the semaphore. However, the semaphore member actuating member forms no part of the present invention. Suitable bells, lights, etc., may be arranged to be `moving arm preindicates the control signal.

If the arm Go is just leaving the housing at the top, it is evident that it will be some time before traffic is halted. In'the same manner if the arm Stop7 has just emerged from the top of the easinginto view, it is obvious that the trailic will be halted for some time. The moment of change of signals is also clearly indicated.

lVhat I claim is: 1. A` traffic control signal comprising a casing having a slot at one side thereof, a signalling member rotatably mounted in said casing at said slot, said signalling meme ber having-signal indicia marked thereon whereby diit'erent indiciav are projected from said casing and displayed during the rotation of said signalling member, and means to progressively rotate said member.

2. Al traftic control signal comprising a casing having a slot at one side'thereof, a signalling member rotatablyy mounted in said casing at said slot,v said signalling member comprising opposite arms, said member being mounted'so that one arm is concealed While the otherv arm is displayed, signal in- 'dicia on said arms, and means to progressively rotate said member in one direction so as to alternately display said indicia.

In' Witness that I claim the foregoing I 'have hereunto subscribed my name this 24th day of September, 1924.

GERALD o. -WATiinHoUsn- 

